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Johnny’s star Jin Akanishi (26) will make his US debut as JIN AKANISHI under Warner Music next spring, it was announced at a press conference in Tokyo today, reports Oricon, and Web The Television.

It has been reported that before a crowd of 200 or so press, Akanishi had made a statement in English saying he hopes people would look forward to watching his upcoming performances and songs as he, a Japanese singer, sets off to entertain a larger audience.

The singer had gotten a global contract with Warner Music Group, which starts today, who will be supporting Akanishi as he works between the United States and Asia.

“It’s today. Today. I’m feeling nervous being here.

“So many things were happening so fast (in the meetings leading up to the contract) that I didn’t have time to get excited every time. It hasn’t sunken into me yet.

“I was told about the contract after my LA concert around the end of June. I was really happy, but then I immediately thought, ‘I have to start writing songs!”,” he said.

It has been reported Akanishi said even though he had been signed to one of the world’s largest record labels, he still had the same aspirations as when he had embarked on his tour last month.

“I was just doing what I wanted to do and this is where I ended up. I think I’ll go into it having fun like I always do,” he said.

Akanishi had also talked about last month’s 5-city US tour.

“It was greater than I had ever imagined. And it was fun.

“During my tour I went to meet people at the Warner office and invited a number of them to my concert. I thought it would be great if five of them came, but nearly everyone I had invited came to see me so I was really happy,” he said.

It has been reported Akanishi thanked his fans in Japan ahead of the Japan leg of his concert tour “Yellow Gold Tour 3010″.

“I get a lot of power from hearing the cheers from my fans in Japan. I just really want to say thank you. I wanted to tell all of you about this contract as soon as possible,” he said.

Akanishi’s US Tour has been reported to have attracted 15,000 fans, and is estimated to attract more than 100,000 fans in Japan during his Tokyo and Osaka concerts in January 2011.

Mr Kitagawa had said a final decision will be made after Akanishi’s US tour.

“My only thoughts are that he (Akanishi) succeeds in the United States.

“Having him return to KAT-TUN is not an option right now.”

While Akanishi’s US tour in September and October had been made official, KAT-TUN had begun the second leg of their Asia tour in Tokyo. Mr Kitagawa had appeared at the group’s concert and had revealed to the press about plans to have Akanishi work in America next year.

The Johnny’s president had said it was a decision made in the same way a father lets his son pursue his dreams.

“I can’t be lenient on him and say that he can re-join KAT-TUN if things go badly in the US.

“I can only give him the chance to do what he wants to the fullest extent,” he said.

In the past, Mr Kitagawa had allowed Akanishi to temporarily leave KAT-TUN in 2006 so that he could study English in Los Angeles, and let him to re-join KAT-TUN the following year. He had said making the same move would be unfair on fans.

“(The fans) would not not accept such a move,” he said.

Mr Kitagawa had said this does not mean KAT-TUN is breaking up. Although the group’s name had been made up from letters from each member’s name, Akanishi’s ‘A’ would be taken over by the beginning two letters from Kazuya Kamenashi’s (24) name, or “KA”. He said the group had been going strong even without Akanishi, and had taken in the decision well.

It had long been known that Johnny Kitagawa had had a personal connection with the American entertainment industry, having spent his teenage years working there, and keeping in touch with stars such as Michael Jackson over the years.